WRITTEN INTERVIEW: Andy Butler reflects on Skegness triumph

Scunthorpe United manager Andy Butler reflected on his side’s third successive pre-season victory over Skegness Town, providing updates on his squad, his reasoning for giving certain players 60 minutes and an overview of how he thinks his side is shaping up for the new season.

Firstly, Butler started the interview by giving an overview of the minutes played in the fixture against the Lilywhites: “We decided to split it to around 60-30, a couple of players got 45’s. It's just that building minutes in the tank for certain players, I did say to the lads it'll be tough against teams that don't really want to come out and attack. You've got to break down 11 players, and I think we did; we created more than enough chances.

“Fair play to Skegness. It's hard work for them as well, but it's good for us because we've had the majority of the ball. We came here on a lovely sunny, no, sorry, windy day, and it was a good workout and no injuries; that's what it's all about, just building minutes.”

When reflecting on the number of chances that the Iron created as well as the winning goal from Danny Whitehall, Butler stated: “Yeah, Danny’s goal almost seems a little bit wasted in a pre-season game because it was an unbelievable finish. It's what we know we can do, and we know that it’s just about getting our centre-forwards chances and opportunities to score goals because we know they will.

“As I said, we hit the crossbar a few times, had a few off the line, were a bit wasteful in possession in final third entries, but that's all we can build on. We've just gone through an anaerobic stage, so we've done four weeks of the anaerobic stage now. So now it goes to aerobic, which is without oxygen. So we’re focusing on shorter, sharper movements where you'll start feeling the lactic acid in the legs. So, the fitness levels are good; it's just about getting sharpness into them now, which you'll see more and more.

With the Iron already scoring ten goals in their opening three games of pre-season, Butler reflected on this accomplishment by adding: “It’s a really good start for us in terms of goals, yeah. That's what we want, just trying to spread the goals out with multiple players. Everyone must have input so that’s good.

“We’ve had some good goals so far, but I still want more from the players. We talk about demanding standards of each other, and that's what we want to see every time they play. We’re playing teams at the moment where they want to hold on; they want to dig in and try to catch you on a counterattack, but I don't think they had any shots on target today, so the lads did well both in attack and defence. 

In response to a question about the promise of the Scunthorpe goalkeepers not having to face any real tests on target in the last two games, Butler replied: “Yeah, it's tough for a goalkeeper. It must be boring. I don't know why anyone would want to be a goalkeeper. They've done what's required when asked, and That's why I brought Lou up for the free kick in the 91st minute.

“So yeah, loads of positives, but I say there's still loads to build on. We're nowhere near the finished article yet, and every other manager would be saying exactly the same. It's about getting fit, about being stronger and fitter than everyone else we’ll face.”

With Scunthorpe facing some slightly sterner tests in the coming weeks of pre-season before the season starts, Butler added: “We want a couple of games that will test us. Obviously, the next two games are against National League North sides now. Jimmy's as Spalding (Jimmy Dean), the gaffer. It’ll be nice to see him again; he’s a great guy, and he did a lot for the football club, so it'll be nice to see him.”

Finally, Butler added a finishing statement on the conditions that had played their part at Skegness on the night: “Well, I was in bed all day yesterday. With a cold, but this is way worse. I actually put Factor 50 on, but I wish I'd put a big coat on, it's freezing. It’s a bit of a long journey, but we got what we needed from the game; it’s been great to see Skegness. We did it last year, did it again this year, so really pleased with how it's gone, and I’m really pleased in terms of where we are as a group.